The culture and traditions of Old Cairo, which dates back
to 641 A.D. extend not only to its magnificent structures, but also to
its people. My visits with ‘Ghaber’ the
shoemaker who insisted on shining my dusty shoes, ‘Om Saleeb’ who
invited me in for tea and asked me to find her an American husband,
and ‘Father
Cheroubian’ whose eyes captured and reflected the joy of a
monk’s
simple life, reminded me of the proud yet ordinary and humble
spirit of Cairenes::